Darter And Flyer One-Two Punch 
Ice More Walleyes All Day Long

Thanks to their fish-calling glides, darts and erratic actions, the new Darter and Techni-Glo Flyer from Lindy Legendary Fishing Tackle provide a deadly one-two punch for winter walleyes throughout the day.

“The Darter’s unique action and built-in rattles are perfect when somewhat inactive walleyes are scattered on a basin during the midday hours,” says Lindy pro staffer and veteran guide Jon Thelen. “These fish can be hard to catch with other, less aggressive presentations, but the Darter gets their attention and brings them in for reaction strikes.”

Thelen drops the lure to bottom, raises it about a foot, then snaps the bait sharply upward 6 to 12 inches to attract nearby walleyes. “The trick is dropping the lure on a slack line, to maximize its gliding and darting action,” he says. “After you rip the bait upward, immediately drop the rodtip so the Darter can work its magic on the drop. When the line tightens as the bait settles, rip it again.”

A no-stretch superline tied directly to the line tie is ideal, he adds. “Superline brings out the action and engages the rattles to their full potential.”

Many walleyes rush in and crush the bait, but others simply idle in to check it out. The latter fish need a little encouragement. “Switch from aggressive lifts to subtle jiggles and twitches,” says Thelen. “Coupled with reflections from the holographic baitfish finish, this usually seals the deal.” Throughout the process, Thelen keeps a sharp eye on his electronics to match his presentation to the proximity of the fish.

When walleyes move onto prime feeding structure early and late in the day, Thelen uses Darters to maximize the number of fish that check out his presentation. “During those 45-minute feeding windows morning and evening, the Darter’s rattles and action expand my bite window—that is, the area of water I can cover without moving to another hole. By attracting the most fish possible to each setup during a limited amount of time, it increases my catch for each feeding period.”

Darters are available in three sizes. Thelen chooses the larger versions (1 3/4- and 2-inch models) for walleyes, and says the 1 1/3-inch option is deadly for winter crappies and perch. While Thelen favors holographic baitfish finishes such as Perch, Golden Shiner and Fathead by day, the Darter’s two glow colors—Chartreuse Glow and Red Glow—get the nod in low-light conditions. Walleyes possess excellent night vision, but the added phosphorescence help cruising fish zero in on the lure from a distance, as do the built-in rattles.

Lindy’s new-and-improved Techni-Glo Flyer is another great search bait for walleyes. “Because you can tip it with a minnow and not alter the lure’s erratic gliding action, it really shines when the fish want live bait,” Thelen explains. “I typically rig a whole fathead. Run the 2/0 Max Gap hook through the mouth, out the gill and up through the body so the bait rides upright—and swim it with lifts and drops similar to those used with the Darter.

Put these tactics to work this winter with the Lindy Darter and Techni-Glo Flyer to catch more fish fast during peak feeding periods as well as the dreaded midday doldrums.